Secret US and Afghanistan Talks Could See Troops Stay for Decades

Russia, China and India concerned about 'strategic partnership' in which Americans would remain after 2014

by Jason Burke

American and Afghan officials are locked in increasingly acrimonious secret
talks about a long-term security agreement which is likely to see US troops,
spies and air power based in the troubled country for decades.

Though not publicised, negotiations have been under way for more than a
month to secure a strategic partnership agreement which would include an
American presence beyond the end of 2014 - the agreed date for all 130,000
combat troops to leave - despite continuing public debate in Washington and
among other members of the 49-nation coalition fighting in Afghanistan about
the speed of the withdrawal.

American officials admit that although Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of
state, recently said Washington did not want any "permanent" bases in
Afghanistan, her phrasing allows a variety of possible arrangements. . . .

There are at least five bases in Afghanistan which are likely candidates to
house large contingents of American special forces, intelligence operatives,
surveillance equipment and military hardware post-2014. . . .